Detachable connecter



Nov. 15, 1938.

W. O HASSLER DETACHABLE CONNECTER .Filed Feb. 23, 1938 I. l lllll ATTORN EYS Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFIQE DETACHABLE CONNECTER Willard O." Hassler,.Kent, Ohio Application February 23,1938, Serial No. 192,110

ers and has for an object to provide a flexible device of this class which will be unaffected by vibrations to which electrical equipment is subjected in trucks, busses, andother conditions of service. A

A further object is to provide a device of this class including separable knife and receptacle sections which will be more easily connected and disconnected than conventional switches.

A further object is to provide a device of this type in which flexible rubber performs the dual function of an insulator and a yielding body to resist vibration.

A further object is to provide a device of this type having a flexible rubber shield integral with one of the members, and adapted to extend over the interfitting metal parts of the switch to protect the same from foreign matter, rain and snow.

A further object is to provide a device of this type which will be formed of a few strong simple and durable parts, which will be inexpensive to manufacture and which will not easily get out of order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood that various modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with parts broken away of a detachable connecter constructed in accordance with the invention and shown in applied position on a truck frame to connect the battery to the ignition and lighting systems.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the knife sections of the device.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the knife section of the device taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the knife section of the device taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the receptacle member of the device taken on the line 5-5 of Figure '7.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the receptacle member of the'device taken on the line 66 of Figure 5 with the rubber shield removed.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the receptacle member of the device showing the rubber shield in' normal condition before being deformed by contact with the knife section of the device. r

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of reference designate similar parts in the various views, the knife section IU of the detachable connecter comprises spaced similar substantially rectangular metal stampings l I, best 10 shown in Figure 4;. Each stamping is provided on one longitudinal edge with an outwardlydirected attaching flange I2 and on the opposite longitudinal edge is provided with an inwardly directed flange l3. V 15 A rubber block I4 is arranged between and vulcanized to the inner faces of the metal stampings and the flanges 13 are countersunk in the block so as to lie flush with the outer face of the block.

The block is of sufiicient elasticity to absorb vi- 20 brations transmitted to the block from the stampings, and the rubber of the block performs the additional function of an insulator.

A blade [5 and a socket member [6 connected together and arranged at right angles, have por- 25 tions thereof imbedded in the block of insulation Id. The blade extends from one side of the block and the socket member extends from one end of the block, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The receptacle section I! of the detachable 30 connecter comprises spaced similar substantially I rectangular metal stampings l8, best shown in Figure 7. Each stamping is provided on one longitudinal edge with an attaching flange [9 and on the opposite longitudinal edge is provided with 35 an inturned flange 20. A rubber block 2| is arranged between and vulcanized to the inner faces of the stamping and the flanges 20 are imbedded in the block. The block is provided with an integral flexible substantially cylindrical shield 2i 40 of rubber. The shield is self-supporting and is provided intermediate its ends with a bulge or accordion pleat which permits of the shield being deformed or collapsed endwise by contact with the knife section of the device.

A binding post 22, best shown in Figure 1, and a receptacle 23, best. shown in Figures 5 and. 7, connected together and right angularly related have parts thereof imbedded in the rubber block 2|. The receptacle extends from one side of the block and the post extends from one end of the block. The shield 2| surrounds the projecting portion of the receptacle and may be molded into the rubber block of the receptacle section of the device. As heretofore described, the rubber block is of such elasticity as to absorb shocks and jars and also serves as an insulator.

In applying the device to connect the battery of a bus to the ignition and lighting systems the knife section may be secured to the side of the battery by screws 24 passed through the attaching flanges [2 of the knife section. The positive wire 25 of the battery may be soldered into the socket member IS. The receptacle section I'I may be secured to a bracket 25 by screws 21 passed through the attaching flanges IS. The bracket 26 is secured to the cross braces 28 of the chassis adjacent the conventional sliding tray 29 which supports the battery 3|]. The lead wire 3| of the ignition and lighting systems may be connected to the binding posts 22.

The device may be easily connected by sliding the battery to its innermost limit of movement, the knife l5 passing into the receptacle 23 and deforming the elactic rubber shield so that the interfltting knife and receptacle will be covered at all times by the shield regardless of shocks andjars. Also the elasticity of the rubber block of both sections of the device will absorb shocks and. jars so that loose connections are positively obviated. When the battery is slid in the direction of the arrowhead for removal the device will be disconnected by endwise separation of the knife section from the receptacle section.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and operation of the invention will be fully understood without further explanation.

What is claimed is:

l. A detachable connecter comprising a knife section and a receptacle section comprising rectangular metal stampings each provided at one longitudinal edge with an outwardly directed attaching flange and provided at the other longitudinal edge with an inturned flange, a block of yielding insulation arranged between the stampings of each switch section, the inturned flanges engaging the block of insulation, a blade and a socket member connected together at right angles and having their connected portions imbedded in the block of insulation of the knife section, the blade extending from one side of the block and the socket member extending from one end of the block, a binding post and a receptacle connected together at right angles and having their connected portions imbedded in the block of insulation of the receptacle section, the receptacle extending from one side of the block and the post extending from one end of the block, and a flexible rubber shield extending from one end of the receptacle section and adapted to surround the blade and the receptacle when connected together by moving the knife section and the receptacle section endwise into juxtaposition.

2. A detachable connecter comprising a knife section and a receptacle section comprising metal side members provided with securing means, a block of insulation secured between the side members of each section, a blade and a socket member connected together at right angles and imbedded in the block of insulation of the knife section at their connected portions, a binding post and a receptacle connected together at right angles and imbedded at their connected portions in the block of insulation of the receptacle section, the blocks of insulation of both sections being formed of elastic rubber to absorb shocks and jars, and a substantially cylindrical flexible rubber shield formed integral with the insulating block of the receptacle section and adapted to surround the interleaved knife and receptacle when the knife section and the receptacle section are connected together by endwise movement toward each other.

WILLARD O. HASSLER. 

